The VSFCP and Imports

Importing Sheep and Goats from the United States

The following is an outline of important details that you need to know if you are planning on importing sheep or goats from the United States (US).

NOTE: There are various options for producers to import sheep and goats from the US. For a complete description of import requirements, please refer to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) import directive located at the following: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/pol/ie-2007-5e.shtml

If you require information regarding the importation of semen and embryos, please contact the Area Import Specialist in your region: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/directory/offbure.shtml

OR

Consult the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at the
following: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/imp/airse.shtml#

Requirements for importing female sheep and goats from the United States if you already have small ruminants on your farm, and where participation in the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program (VSFCP) is required.

  • Animals may be imported to a premises enrolled in the VSFCP in Canada from a premises enrolled in the SFCP (Scrapie Flock Certification Program) in the United States of an equivalent or higher status than the importing premises in Canada.
  • In most cases, the importing premises in Canada must have been enrolled in the VSFCP for at least 24 months and had at least 2 annual inventories OR must currently not contain any small ruminants.
  • The exporting premises in the United States must have been enrolled in the SFCP for at least 24 months and had at least 2 annual inventories.
  • In order to import, you must contact your local Canadian Food Inspection Agency Regional Office to obtain an import permit. A list of local offices can be found on the CFIA website
    at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/directory/offbure.shtml
  • Female sheep or goats imported from the US must go directly to the farm that is enrolled on the National Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program (VSFCP).
  • Animals imported into a premises enrolled in the VSFCP may only move to another premises also enrolled in the VSFCP of equivalent or lower status, or direct to slaughter.
  • A license for removal must be obtained from the CFIA district office responsible for the flock or herd. Restrictions on movement of the imported animals apply only until the flock or herd importing animals has met the Canadian definition of a negligible risk premises.
  • Producers do not have to be enrolled on the VSFCP to import males from the US at this time.
  • At this time males that have been imported into Canada can be sold to any Canadian producer (the seller and the buyer do not have to be a participant on the VSFCP).
  • Currently spayed female sheep or goats can be imported from the US without enrolling on the VSFCP, as long as these animals are spayed prior to coming into Canada and are accompanied by documentation that confirms that they are spayed.
  • If a producer quits the VSFCP following the importation of sheep or goats from the US, their file will be continue to be followed by the CFIA in order to satisfy the existing import requirements and the restrictions will continue until the imported animals have been followed for the length of time necessary for them to be considered of “negligible risk”. A producer will not be permitted to re-enroll on the program for three years. Special cases can be brought forth and will be reviewed by the Scrapie Working Group - a group of industry representatives and producers that meet regularly to discuss and administer the national scrapie program.

Importing Female Sheep and Goats from the United States if you currently DO NOT have small ruminants on your farm.

Producers will be temporarily enrolled on the VSFCP. Please refer to the document “Temporary Enrollment on the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program” for details associated with this process. When the animals have entered Canada, they must fully enroll on the program. Please note the following information:

  • Make the arrangements to work with a scrapie accredited vet before the animals are actually imported.
  • Contact Scrapie Canada to apply for temporary enrolment in the VSFCP. Temporary enrolment will allow you to apply for an import permit, and will need to be followed up post-import with full enrolment. These forms can also be found on the Scrapie Canada website at: Scrapie Canada Application
  • To apply for Temporary Enrolment producers must submit Producer Information and Veterinarian Information forms, a farm map and verification from the local CFIA district office that the premises are not subject to CFIA quarantines for scrapie.
  • Contact your local CFIA Regional Office to obtain an import permit. You will need the letter of temporary enrollment from Scrapie Canada to do this.
  • Once the sheep or goats have been imported, producers have 30 days to submit all required paperwork, including a completed inventory (signed by your vet) of all sheep or goats on the property. Producers will then be officially enrolled on the program. An official acceptance letter and program certificate will be mailed out to applicants.
  • Once enrolled on the program, the producer must meet all requirements. A list of program regulations can be found on the Scrapie Canada website at: http://www.scrapiecanada.ca/VSFCPrules-regs.html
Sheep

Scrapie Information & Facts

HOW TO START THE IMPORT PROCESS

  • ∗ Contact the US source flock/herd of interest and collect as much relevant information as possible (SFCP status, number of years participating on SFCP, inventory control measures/deadstock testing, etc) BEFORE making arrangements to purchase and import animals.
  • ∗ Contact your local Canadian Food Inspection Agency Regional Office to inquire about necessary import requirements and status of source flock/herd. A list of local offices can be found on the CFIA website at: www.inspection.gc.ca
  • ∗ Contact Scrapie Canada regarding VSFCP participation; to ensure your enrolled flock/herd is eligible to import from the desired source flock/herd, or to apply for temporary enrolment where necessary.
  • ∗ If source flock and importing flock qualify for importing the animals from the US to Canada, contact the source flock and make purchase arrangements as necessary. Collect all of the pertinent information required to apply for the import permit (SFCP certification documents for source flock/herd, health certificates, etc).
  • ∗ Once all of the preliminary import requirements have been met, and in order to import, once again contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Area Office to obtain an import permit. A list of local offices can be found on the CFIA website at: www.inspection.gc.ca
  • ∗ When all of the import requirements have been met, and an import permit has been acquired, proceed with your import as outlined in your CFIA issued import permit.
  • ∗ Producers importing animals under a VSFCP Temporary Enrolment Status must conduct and submit a complete animal inventory, conducted by a scrapie accredited veterinarian, within 30 days of importing.
  • ∗ If a producer quits the VSFCP following the importation of sheep or goats from the USA, their file will be continue to be followed by the CFIA in order to satisfy the existing import requirements.

For more information on the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program, please visit Scrapie Canada at: www.scrapiecanada.ca/certification.html or call
1-866-534-1302.

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